[ video ] ► three

[maelstroms]

[ Sunset finds Ukitake to be settled upon a rooftop (is it one you happen to recognize, perchance?), sitting in seiza as the heat of the day wanes, brown eyes diligently overlooking the city. In light of recent events, he has forgone wearing both captain's haori and shihakusho in favor of donning a white, button-up shirt and dark dress slacks, his

Comments

[video]

[fivepetals]

The protests... were a little unsettling, but other than that I'm fine!

Is it really okay, to be drinking by yourself?

[video]

[maelstroms]

Yes and no. Drinking is something done best socially, or in pairs. However -

[ He looks down at his glass then, hair partially obscuring his eyes. ]

- this is a special occasion, and the nihonshu is sweet.

Don't take it to heart, what the protesters have said. They only wished to return to normalcy, and don't we wish for the very same? Their methods though, were not the best.

[video]

[fivepetals]

Special occasion...? [ oh, duh. ] Kyouraku-taichou's birthday is today, isn't it?

You must miss him.

[video]

[maelstroms]

[ A nod, in response to both the question and the statement. ]

I do. More than I should, it's likely.

[ Then, teasing - ] It's also regrettable, that I'm unable to poke fun at his new-found seniority.

[video]

[fivepetals]

[ Seniority, huh. There's a brief moment where she considers if her next question would be taken as rude or not, but Ukitake isn't a woman so it should be alright...! ]

If you don't mind me asking, uhm. How old are you exactly?

[video] 1/2

[maelstroms]

[ He blinks once, an eyebrow lofting high.

Does she really want to know? Does she really need to know?

Hm. Decisions, decisions. ]

[video]

[maelstroms]

Why don't you take a guess? And if you're anywhere in the ballpark, I'll certainly let you know!

[ AND SUDDENLY, he is all secrets.

Suspicious. ]

[video] 1/2

[fivepetals]

[ She is so flustered right now, you have no idea. What if she guesses too old? WHAT IF HE GETS OFFENDED?

...

Well, she supposes it's her own fault for asking anyway. ]

[video]

[fivepetals]

[ gulp: ] 5000?

[video] 1/2

[maelstroms]

[ Why, Hinamori-chan...!

She has obviously grossly overestimated his age to soften the potential blow of mistakenly guessing correctly.

Obviously.

She hadn't wanted to hurt his feelings, she cannot possibly be serious.

Obviously.

Ukitake pauses, mid-sip, and swallows the alcohol slowly. ]

[video]

[maelstroms]

[ Well, he might as well humor her back. Ahah. Ha. Ha? ]

You honestly think me to be that old, Hinamori-chan?

[ Here, he mumbles, something about 'not even Genryuusai-senes goes that far back'. Mostly though, it's intelligible. ]

[video]

[fivepetals]

[ shoot, she seems to have miscalculated and hurt his feelings. That face she can't even-- ]

Ahahaha. I was kidding... kidding. You hardly look a day over--

[ uhm. ]

1000?

[video]

[maelstroms]

[ Better. Much better. He nods, perhaps sharply. ]

I have no qualms with that number, if it satiates your curiosity.

[ Even if it is only half of his true age. ]

[video]

[fivepetals]

[ ...it really doesn't actually. ]

Is it... [ what was that phrase he used? ] in the ballpark?

[video]

[maelstroms]

[ Well, it's... closer than her first guess, at least? And so eagerly, he nods again - ]

Aa. Very close!

Should we still both be present in Anatole by the time my own birthday rolls around, I'll be sure to tell you the exact number.

[ UNTIL THEN, HOWEVER...

Oh gosh, this nihonshu really is good. Sipsipsip. ]

[video]

[fivepetals]

[ You are such a liar Ukitake, buuuut thankfully she doesn't even pick up on that. ]

I'll be here! You know... due to the confusion after we arrived, I managed to miss my own birthday. The dates are different here, and I hadn't realized...

[ herp le derp she just trails off ]